Introduction

With the release of AMD’s Trinity APU, we are starting to see more and more manufacturers releasing this new FM2 Socket series of motherboards. If you are not familiar with AMD’s APU systems, it’s a processor that has an on-die graphics processing unit embedded into the CPU. AMD started its APU line just over a year ago with the Zacate series processors which carried the FM1 Socket. AMD released this as their “Fusion” technology, which is designed to combine the CPU with the raw processing power of on-die graphics at an affordable price-point.

AMD recently took this “Fusion” technology a little further with its recent release of Trinity, and incorporated its new processing architecture of Piledriver to the new FM2 Socket series chips. In fact, today we will be using the AMD Trinity A10-5800k that offers this new architecture, and takes its graphics processing power to the next level with the on-die 7660D graphics.

When it comes to using this new processing power, it’s also important to choose the right motherboard that fits the bill. The APU line of motherboards were designed to be affordable, but also offer high performance standards. Today we are going to be looking at a new motherboard from ECS: the A85F2-A Golden Motherboard. This motherboard will follow its A85X (hudson D4) chipset. ECS doesn’t call this board the “Golden” board for no reason, and, as we take a closer look, you will see why.

We have known ECS to provide some great budget boards in the past; however, with the ECS A85F2-A Golden, we are going to see if ECS (and their new A85x chipset series board) can stand up to the rest of the arena.

A little about ECS: ECS, the Elitegroup Computer Systems, was established in 1987, and is approaching its 23rd year of business. More than two decades, ECS has overcome a great deal of obstacles facing new businesses and has experienced the joy of significant growth and development. Her main focus has expanded to not only motherboards, but also desktop and notebook computers, graphics cards and other mobile products. ECS is strongly committed to develop cutting-edge technology in order to generate innovative products under environmental friendly designs. ECS comprehensive system of quality control provides our clients with reassurance and fosters long term cooperation.

2 Comments

I thought this was a great review. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is what boost the i3 would have had with the ATI 6670 video card. That would have been a bit more “apples to apples” approach to video games portion of the review.

Also, if you took a similarly priced FX cpu and the ATI 6670 video card in a $120.00 ECS AM3+ board… how would it compare?

I do have to say that this socket/cpu/gpu combination is not a desktop part that I would choose. In a laptop, it sounds very appealing.

“I thought this was a great review. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is what boost the i3 would have had with the ATI 6670 video card. That would have been a bit more “apples to apples” approach to video games portion of the review.

Also, if you took a similarly priced FX cpu and the ATI 6670 video card in a $120.00 ECS AM3+ board… how would it compare?

I do have to say that this socket/cpu/gpu combination is not a desktop part that I would choose. In a laptop, it sounds very appealing.”

Hi Peter, Thanks for your message, also thank you for reading the review. Unfortunately at the time of this review, we didn’t have the i3 processor on hand for running additional test. The data for the i3 was taken from the last review comparing the A10-5800k processor. However, even if we did I would say that the performance on the AMD APU platform would have been better due to the reasons of the hybrid crossfire with the onboard GPU die. This gave the better advantage for any graphically benchmark while the i3 would have ran the 6670 as a single card application and the results would have been purely on the 6670 in the graphical arena.

Regarding comparing the FX with the 6670, that is a great question. Unfortunately I don’t have a similar FX processor to put that to the test for comparison, however based on its architecture and processing matter, the APU might have a slight edge over the FX chip running similair (core for core) hardware again due to the fact of being able to crossfire the 6670 with its onboard GPU die. However when it comes to raw CPU performance the FX chips will have its benefits and take a leap in front of the APU. I would say, if you are looking for just raw CPU performance, I would look into the FX processors rather then a APU.

While the APU design factors were not meant to replace a high powered desktop PC (thats what the FX series are there for), it’s primary design feature if give consumers a budget friendly platform that can provide a above standard performance given the amount of money you spend. At the price point of the mobos/CPU/and GPU, can get create a great budget friendly HTPC and everyday use desktop replacement for very little money.

Hope this answers some questions you may have and please feel free to add any additional comments. Also if you want to join in on a discussion. Please sign up for our forums.. We have a great group of people here and look forward to everyones feedback.